Enlightenment Thinkers

DRIVING QUESTION If the government governs society, then who governs the government?

Background What? – “Age of Reason,” a time of intellectual growth where philosophers question life and government When? – 18 th century (1700s) Where? – Europe Why? – People start to challenge i divine right and absolute monarchy

Thomas Hobbes Beliefs Absolute Monarchy! Because people are naturally evil and society needs an absolute ruler to prevent disorder. Influence on Western Democratic Nations None! Authority> Wisdom

John Locke Beliefs People have the right to overthrow their government if it fails to protect or violates their Natural Rights! Influence on Western Democratic Nations US and France! (Founding Fathers used this reasoning to justify their independence from Great Britain) Life, Liberty, Property!

Jacques Rousseau Beliefs A legitimate government comes from the “consent of the governed.” Influence on Western Democratic Nations US and France! (People have the power to vote and dictate how the gov’t operates by electing their leaders) Power to the people!

Baron de Montesquieu Beliefs A gov’t works best when powers are separated and check one another. ( Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances ) Influence on Western Democratic Nations US and France! US has 3 branches of government that check one another:

3 Branches of Government 1.Executive (President) 2.Legislative (Congress: Senate and House of Representatives) 3.Judicial (Supreme Court)

Voltaire Beliefs Everyone should have the right to every type of liberty, including thought expression, and religion. Nobody or no government can take away your liberties. Influence on Western Democratic Nations US and France! Freedom of Speech, Religion, and Press in the Bill of Rights! I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.

Cesare Beccaria Beliefs Cruel and unusual punishment (torture) is unjust. The punishment should fit the crime. Influence on Western Democratic Nations 8 th Amendment in US Bill of Rights: no cruel or unusual punishment. The state has no right to take lives!

“For a punishment to be just it should consist of only such gradations of intensity as suffice to deter men from committing crimes.” –Beccaria Is the death penalty a just punishment? Why or why not?

Mary Wollstonecraft Beliefs Equality is necessary for ALL, not just men. (Encouraged women to enter fields of medicine and politics) Influence on Western Democratic Nations Women eventually gained the same rights as men, including voting (19 th Amendment) Feminist.

“Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience.” - Wollstonecraft DO WOMEN RECEIVE THE SAME TREATMENT AS MEN IN THIS COUNTRY? WHAT ABOUT OTHER COUNTRIES?